Shuttles And Stars

Sia

As we drove back from the clinic, the tension between us had mostly eased. I glanced over at Neeraj, who was still gripping the steering wheel like it was responsible for all the stress he'd been through. I couldn’t help but smirk. "Kya yaar, Neeraj? It's just a nail. It’s not like I stepped on a landmine!"

Neeraj gave me a side glance, clearly unimpressed. "Nail hi sahi, but tum toh aise behave karti ho jaise Iron Man ho." His tone was flat, but I could see the faintest twitch of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

I rolled my eyes dramatically, leaning back in my seat. "Bas ek minute. Did you just compare me to Iron Man? I'll take that as a compliment, Mr. Dixit."

He finally cracked a smile, shaking his head. "Haan haan, but you’re more like Iron Woman—who refuses to ask for backup even when she’s bleeding."

I chuckled. "You know, backup is overrated. Plus, ek baar khud ki chhoti chhoti injuries se deal karna toh banta hai."

Neeraj shot me a pointed look. "Chhoti chhoti injuries? Tumhara definition of 'chhoti' thoda alag hai, madam."

I shrugged, trying to keep my voice light. "Dekho, agar band-aid kaafi ho sakta hai, toh why make a fuss?"

He sighed dramatically, mock-frustration in his voice now. "Wah! Tumhara toh kuch nahi ho sakta."

I grinned. "Exactly! Ab samajh gaya na?"

Neeraj shook his head with a laugh. "Tum impossible ho, Sia. Impossible."

I couldn’t resist teasing him a little more. "And yet, yahan ho tum, dealing with my impossibility."

He sighed again, this time with a smile on his face. "Kya karein, ab adat ho gayi hai."

I laughed, the tension from earlier completely dissolved now. "Well, at least you know what you're getting into."

He glanced at me, his eyes softening just a little. "Trust me, I do."

As the silence settled back between us, this time lighter and more comfortable, I realized how much Neeraj’s presence had grown on me. Maybe, just maybe, it wasn’t such a bad thing to have someone who cared this much—even if I was stubborn as hell about letting him in.

For now, though, I was content with the banter. "Waise, next time I step on a nail, main khud hi doctor ke paas jaaungi. Promise."

Neeraj laughed, shaking his head. "Let’s hope there’s no 'next time,' Iron Woman."

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